SHILLONG: The state government has launched the fourth and last round of the Intensified Mission Indradhanush (MI) which is being held for seven working days at designated immunisation sites.
Governor Ganga Prasad has urged all parents and families to ensure timely vaccination of infants and pregnant women.
“I request all parents and guardians to join hands to build a healthy and stronger Meghalaya,” he said at a programme to mark the launching of the fourth round of Mission Indradhanush at Ganesh Das Hospital on Tuesday.
The governor pointed out that before the launch of Mission Indradhanush, the fully immunised coverage could not cross 65 percent despite all efforts and the annual increase in full immunisation coverage was a mere 1 percent.
Pointing to the rigorous implementation of Mission Indradhanush campaign, Prasad said the fully immunised coverage has increased at the rate of 7 per cent per annum.
Earlier, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had launched Mission Indradhanush on December 25, 2014, as a special drive to vaccinate the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children and pregnant women.
Stating that immunisation is one of the most cost-effective health interventions, Prasad said, “Through immunisation, we have already been able to eradicate killer diseases like smallpox and polio from the country.”
The State Health Department and the National Health Mission have gone for an all-out campaign to vaccinate children below 2 years of age and pregnant women who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.
